asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of postmen and runners killed and injured while on duty for the last 10 years: and what was the amount of compensation paid to them or their families?

Daring the 10 years ending with March, 1924, 35 runners and four village postmen were killed, and 16 runners and six village postmen injured while on duty. I have no later information, nor do I know what compensation was paid in any of the cases referred to.

Will the noble Lord inquire about the compensation?

Yes, if the hon. Member presses me; but this is a matter that is really dealt with by the Legislative Bodies in India. I think it is a question whether it is fair to ask Departments in India to give information to this House, and to the local Legislative Assemblies as well.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of workmen that have been injured, fatally or otherwise, in the stone yard of the Imperial Capital Works at Delhi, and the amount of compensation paid?

I have no direct information, but I will send the hon. Member a copy of an answer recently given in the Legislative Assembly on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the grounds for the arrest of Srijut Premanatha Dutta under the Bengal criminal law after he had been acquitted for complicity in the Chittagong murder case?

He was arrested and dealt with under the Ordinance in consequence of actions falling within Section 12 of the Ordinance, and committed on dates previous to the date of the murder. The case was examined by two Judges, as required by the Ordinance, and they reported to the local Government that, in their opinion, there was lawful and sufficient cause for the order made under Section 12 of the Ordinance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that subordinate civilian officers employed under the Indian Government in the Royal Indian Marine and in His Majesty's dockyard at Bombay are in some anxiety as to whether or no they will receive any concessions or increases under the recommendation of the Lee Commission: whether if it is proposed that an all-round increase is to take place in the pay of these men; what arrangements have been made as regards their return to England on leave; and whether there is any discrimination to be made between the concessions granted to married as compared with unmarried men, respectively?

The Lee Commission was concerned solely with the superior Civil Services in India, and made no recommendations in respect of subordinate civilian officers. As regards the second part of the question, I am, not aware that any such all-round increase of pay is contemplated; and the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise. As regards the third part, the Government of India are considering whether any passage concessions on the lines of those recently granted to the superior Civil Services should be extended to subordinate civilian officers of the class in question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Royal Commission on Food Prices reports that the erection of elevators in India would save wheat from being destroyed, and that if better care were taken of Indian wheat it would be of great assistance in keeping down the world price what steps are being taken by the Government of India to assist in the erection of elevators in that country?

Schemes for the erection of elevators in India have been considered by the Government of India on several occasions in the past. In 1919,. they reported that, owing to the comparative cheapness of labour in India, the excellent loading facilities at Karachi and the low cost of bags, no general scheme had previously been found necessary, though one elevator had been constructed at Lyallpur. At that time they were inclined to think that, owing to changed conditions, the introduction of a general system of elevators might be desirable, and further inquiries were set on foot, but were stopped, because it was found necessary to prohibit the export of wheat owing to short harvests. My Noble Friend does not know whether the Government of India have since again taken up the question, but will inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the rate of development of the railways in India in the years between 1880 and 1925, as compared with the same period of years prior to 1880?

The mileage of railway opened in India from 1881 to 1925, inclusive, was 29,052, an average of 645 miles a year, and from 1853 to 1880, inclusive, 9,166, an average of 32V miles a year. There was no railway in India before 1853.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India, was consulted by His Majesty's Government with regard to the construction and maintenance of the Singapore base; whether a reply was received from the Government of India; and whether he will ask the Government of India to give the Legislative Council an opportunity of expressing its views on this subject?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the third part, I have nothing to add to my replies to the hon. Member's supplementary questions on 18th May.

Does not the Noble Lord think it would be advisable to get the opinion of the Legislative Council?

As I said in reply to the hon. Member before, this question whether or not it is desirable there should be a Debate in the Legislative Assembly rests primarily, as far as Government business is concerned, with the Government of India. The question whether or not a Debate should take place on a private Members' day, seems to me to lie solely with the President of the Assembly to decide whether it is in order or not.

Would not the Noble Lord ask the Secretary of State for India to consult with the Government of India as to the advisability of getting the opinion of the Indian people themselves?

I cannot interfere with the discretion of the Government of India, or with the President of the Assembly, whose position in the Assembly corresponds with that of the Speaker in this House.

Is the Noble Lord not aware it is a fact that you do adopt the procedure I suggest with regard to other Dominions, and why not with regard to India?

No, we do not do anything of the sort. It is entirely a matter for the Governments of the Dominions whether or not there is a Debate, just as in this case I assert it is wholly a matter for the Government of India whether there should be a discussion or not.

May I ask whether the Noble Lord will resist attempts on the other side of the House to curb the independence of the Legislative Assemblies?

I certainly think that these matters are best left to the Legislative Assemblies in India itself.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Government of India was consulted about the Geneva protocol by His Majesty's Government; whether a reply was received from the Government; and whether he will ask the Government of India to lay the protocol before the Legislative Assembly in order that the opinion of the elected representatives of the Indian people on this subject may be expressed?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, my Noble Friend sees no reason for taking any action.

Seeing that the Noble Lord has just told us he wants to preserve the independence of the Legislative Assemblies and the people of India, could he give the people of India, through the Legislative Assemblies, an opportunity of passing their view on this matter?

The hon. Member's friends in the Legislative Assembly have every right to ask a question on the matter, if they wish to do so.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether it is necessary, in addition to the £13,000,000 or £14,000,000 balance of Indian moneys in the hands of the Secretary of State, to retain the present sum of about £60,000,000 of Indian moneys in this country for the gold standard and paper currency reserves; and if he will consider whether these reserves could now be kept in the Imperial Bank of India?

The balance and reserves mentioned are held for different purposes. Apart from the working balance, these funds are invested in securities, and do not represent moneys on deposit. I see no reason for any change in the present arrangements for the custody of the securities concerned. The issues of financial policy raised in the question will, doubtless, come under review by the Currency Committee, which it is intended to appoint when the conditions set forth in my replies of 29th April and 18th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford (Sir F. Wise) are fulfilled.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the consultations with Lord Reading have resulted in any conclusion on the question of the provincial contributions; and when he expects to be in a position to state his decisions on the questions of Cabinet responsibility and the extension of the franchise recommended in both of the Muddiman Committee's Reports?

As I have already informed the House, my Noble Friend hopes to make a full statement in the course of the next few weeks, and I cannot anticipate what he will say on that occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that, owing to the increasing cost of labour and the operations of the boll-weevil and other insects, the United States of America will be unable in the future to export more than 4,000,000 bales of cotton, his Department is considering the desirability of assisting white emigrants to settle in the cotton-growing districts of South Africa where cotton production is limited mainly by a deficiency of white labour?

While I cannot commit myself to any figure for the probable future exports of cotton from the United States of America, I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of the development of cotton-growing in South Africa is recognised both by His Majesty's Government and by the Governments of the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. I understand that the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation, which has been working in close co-operation with the Governments of the Union and Southern Rhodesia, regards the development which is taking place in those countries, as most satisfactory. I may add that the question of developing this industry in Swaziland, where it seems likely that conditions may be favourable for cotton, is engaging my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make any statement as to the claim of the British Government under Article 5 of the Irish Treaty?

No, Sir. I am not in a position to add anything to the replies which were given to the hon. Member on 30th April; to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut. Commander Kenworthy) on the 4th instant, and to the hon. and gallant Member for North Lanark (Sir A. Sprot) on the 5th instant.

Can my hon. Friend say what is the reason for the great delay in securing this payment to which the Free State agreed under the treaty so long ago?

As I pointed out in previous answers, this probably would be a matter of long negotiation. The Treasury only formulated the heads of claims at the time the Budget was introduced in this House. Then there are certain set-offs which have to be considered, and I anticipate it will take several weeks before we can get to any figures or any final result.

Why were not these heads of claims formulated many months, if not years, ago?

As I said in my previous answer, we have done so as quickly as possible, but until the Boundary Commission was established and financial questions explored, it was not possible for the Treasury to put forward our claims.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to form a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at Singapore, and later on units at other ports in the Straits and Federated Malay States; and whether he will give some details of the project and state whether this scheme is to be extended to other Colonies?

Yes, Sir, the formation of a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at Singapore and at other places in Malaya is under consideration, but no details of the scheme are at present available. The possibility of similar schemes being adopted in other Colonies is also receiving consideration.

Is the cost of this scheme included in the Estimate that has been given for Singapore?

No; I think the question of the cost of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve will be on the same lines as the local volunteer force in the Colonies. It will, therefore, fall on the Colonial Revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider, in view of the depression in the iron and steel and heavy engineering industries, the possibility of placing, in advance of immediate requirements, large orders for the railway material likely to be required during the next few years in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates?

The reasons given by my hon. Friend will naturally have their weight in the expediting of programmes of railway development. The actual ordering of material in advance of requirements is, however, not practicable. The requirements themselves are too uncertain as to time and design for the Crown Agents to order supplies in anticipation of indents from the Governments concerned, while the latter could not well be asked to bear the loss of interest, cost of double handling and storage, and risk of changes in local conditions which might render the particular supplies ordered unnecessary.

Is not the gauge of the railways in East Africa already fixed, as well as the weight of the rails per foot ton also known? Under these circumstances is it not possible for orders for steel rails in advance of requirements to be placed?

The rails vary considerably in width, according to the country you are going through and the traffic the railway is likely to carry. There is a certain amount of construction going on, and orders will be placed. Until you know the money you are going to get for the railways, and where they are going, it is quite impossible to anticipate far in advance orders such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government contemplates the offer of an area of land in the lowlands of Kenya as a reserve for Indian colonisation?

In accordance with the decision published on page 17 of the White Paper of July, 1923, areas have been reserved in the lowlands of Kenya with a view to ascertaining what demand there is for agricultural land on the part of Indians. The matter awaits an examination of the land by representatives of local Indian interests, of the Government of India, or of both.

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government of India have taken any action in the matter?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the methods in force for the conscription of native labour for railway construction in Kenya; the tribes from which such conscripted labour is at present drawn; the period for which it is conscripted; and the monthly wage paid?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if native laburers who refuse to obey an order to work on railway construction work in Kenya, under the ordinance of 1922, may be punished with two months' rigorous imprisonment?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the rate of wages being paid to the natives of Kenya who are being conscripted for railway construction work there?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many natives in Kenya have been compulsorily recruited for railway or other Government work, the length of their service, and the amount of wages they are being paid?

With the permission of the hon. Members, I will, as the answer is a long one, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No, no!

Then I will read the answer.

The power of calling up labour for Government purposes is conferred on native headmen under the Native Authority Ordinance, 1912, as amended in 1922, in accordance with the decision of the then Secretary of State contained in the despatch published in 1921 as Cmd. 1509. In the selection of labourers efforts are made to choose those able-bodied males who have neither undertaken work for wages outside the reserves, nor have shown willingness to produce economic products for export from the land in the reserves. The returns for March showed that 1,561 have been so recruited for the completion of the Uasin-Gishu Railway. An earlier telegram showed that for this line 1,200 Kavirondo and 300 from the Kerio province had been called out. For the Thika-Nyeri line the Acting Governor proposed to call out 500 Akamba natives, as these show a far lower percentage of workers than the local Kikuyu. He also proposed to call out 200 Akamba for relaying the main lane, but the March return showed only 59 compelled men working on the Thika-Nyeri line, and no others except on the Uasin-Gishu line.

Agreed, agreed!

I would remind hon. Members that I am answering four questions. The period of enlistment is limited by the ordinance to 60 days in any one year, and it appears that for the Uasin-Gishu line the bulk of the labour will be required for only two months, in order to hasten the completion of this all-important connection.

The rate of pay for compulsory labour was originally fixed at 14s. a month, with the special railway scale of rations in addition, this rate being 2s. a month less than the current rate for experienced voluntary labour. Since then the labour market has become somewhat easier and the rate for voluntary unskilled labour has fluctuated between 16s. and 12s. a month plus rations.

In the Ordinance the penalty for disobeying any lawful order given by a headman is on conviction a fine of 150s., or, in default of payment, two months' imprisonment.

Papers containing the correspondence regarding and the reasons for the use of compulsory labour for these particular public works will be laid before Parliament at an early date.

Is there any system at present at work for checking an extension of this rather undesirable system of the conscription of labour, as there was previously?

Were these conditions enforced by the Labour Government?

The Ordinance was operative during the Labour Government's period of office. In each case, as laid down in Mr. Churchill's dispatch, which I have quoted, the use of compelled labour on public works throughout Africa —this applies not only to Kenya but other territories—requires the special sanction of the Secretary of State, and recourse to it is only had in matters of urgency and the public interest.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my question—whether or not there is now in existence an independent body, as there was formerly, checking any extension of the conscription of labour?

I do not quite follow my hon. Friend.

There was an independent body formerly appointed by the Government.

I am not aware of an independent body. There was a Labour Commissioner, under a special Labour Department for Native Affairs, and proposals were only made on the recommendation of the Executive Council.

Did we understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the wages were 14s. a month, and that the fine for refusing to obey an order was 150s.?

A fine not exceeding 150s.!

That is many months' wages.

The wages quoted are plus a substantial railway ration.

Has the hon. Gentleman advised increasing the wages, in view of the fact that a certain number of volunteers are turning out to work?

Yes, the figures which I have read out are a large increase on the rates recently published. They are very much higher than the rates of wages paid in many parts of East Africa. In Nyasaland they are from 4s. 6d. to 6s. per month.

In consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment, at the first convenient opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the East Africa Committee, set up by the late Government under Lord South-borough, will resume its sittings; and whether the Report of the East Africa Commission, presented by members drawn from that Committee, will be submitted to the East Africa Committee for its consideration and report?

My right hon. Friend has nearly completed his study of the Report referred to and hopes to be able to give my hon. Friend a definite answer to his question if he will be good enough to repeat it this day week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government has considered the Report on the position of the palm oil and palm kernel industry of West Africa; whether it is proposed to take any action upon the recommendations of this Report in the direction of attempting to transfer the extraction and refining of palm oil from this country to West Africa: and whether, before any such steps are taken, opportunity will be given for discussing the subject?

This is a matter which I cannot consider before I have received a full statement of the views of the Governors of the Dependencies concerned. At present I can add nothing to my reply to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford on the 4th of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the growing disinclination of younger men to take up plantation work in many of the overseas Colonies owing to the insecurity of their position when they attain experience and should benefit by progressive salaries which the companies save by dismissing them: and whether he will inquire into the effect this has in discouraging emigration to the Crown Colonies?

I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend; but if he will give me any specific instances which have come to his knowledge I will consider whether I can usefully take any action.

Is the hon. Gentleman making inquiries into the methods of the rubber industry?

Do I understand that my hon. Friend desires inquiry into the rubber industry in Malaya specially?

assented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that slave raids and trading still exist, and that raids have been made recently in the Sudan and Kenya Colony; and is he prepared to publish for the use of the Members of the House any information on this subject that is likely to be of use to them?

I have no evidence of slave raids into Kenya. As regards the Sudan, I understand that there have been no recent raids. The question of publishing papers relating to any raids from a foreign territory would be for the consideration of my right. hon Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries with regard to the slave raids?

We have been making inquiries for some time past, but can get no evidence of such raids as are suggested in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government has under consideration the proposal to proposal to provide £10,000,000 for transport development in East Africa; and whether he is prepared to make it a condition of the loan that its advance shall not involve a demand for the conscription of native forced labour?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Mr. H. G. Williams) on 11th May. The conditions of any guaranteed loan would be settled by Parliament.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of persons employed on the executive staff of the British Empire Exhibition, and the total amount of their salares?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the administrative staff in receipt of monthly salaries number 67. There are also clerks, typists, etc., totalling 290. I have not yet received from the British Empire Exhibition authorities the figure showing the total cost involved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the approximate number of visitors to Wembley up to date, and inform the House how that number compares with the corresponding date in 1924?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the total admissions to the Exhibition up to and inclusive of the 22nd May (12 days) was 679,602. For the first 12 days of the 1924 Exhibition the number was 510,905.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether this large increase of visitors is not largely due to the repeated visits made by their Majesties?

Yes, Sir; undoubtedly the gracious presence of their Majesties the King and Queen has done a great deal to help.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the British Pavilion at the Paris Exhibition has been opened; and what variety of exhibits is being shown?

The British Pavilion at the Paris Exhibition was opened to the public on Wednesday, 20th May, after an official luncheon given, in the British Restaurant, by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught, the President of the General Council of the British Section. The Pavilion includes a series of furnished rooms, together with an Ecclesiastical Court, and contains exhibits of textiles, books, metal-work, pottery, sculpture, etc., executed by the leading craftsmen and industrialists in the United Kingdom. Further exhibits, covering a wide range of pro- duction, and including education and the art of the theatre, are being displayed in the space allotted to Great Britain in the Grand Palais and the Esplanade des Invalides.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman, who is well known both as an art critic and writer, whether he is satisfied that this exhibit of ours is second to none?

If I am asked my private opinion, I thought that the decorative things in the British Pavilion were lovely. The outstanding articles there were the hand-wrought silver, the beautiful pottery, and the articles in enamel on gold, made by our craftsmen. I considered the hand-wrought silver was as good as anything done in the time of Charles II and Queen Anne, and the enamel on gold equal to the jewellery of the Cinquecento period. I hope that our shopkeepers in Regent Street and Bond Street will see the craftsmen who made these things, and on their return from Paris buy goods from them for everyday trade, for they will certainly enhance the reputation of British decorative art.

Will the hon. Gentleman state whether the British Pavilion was in a full state of completion on 20th May, when the exhibition opened?

Yes, Sir; and the thanks of my Department are due to Colonel Cole and to all his staff from the Department of Overseas Trade. They worked all night; everything was ship-shape and in order, and ready for the opening of our pavilion.

Has the pavilion a good site in the exhibition?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can give the House any particulars with regard to the National Exhibition in New Zealand and what part this country is taking therein?

His Majesty's Government have accepted an invitation from the Government of New Zealand to participate in an exhibition of the world's arts, products and manufactures, entitled "The New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition," which will be held in Dunedin from November to April next. A building covering an area of 56,000 square feet has been set aside by the exhibition authorities for British, exhibits. One half of this area will be occupied by commercial exhibitors whose participation is being organised directly by the exhibition authorities in conjunction with the Federation of British Industries, and the other half by the Government exhibit which is being organised by my Department. It is also hoped to arrange for a British Section in the Art Gallery.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in the allocation of any grant to assist the marketing of Colonial produce in this country, due regard will be had to the effect of such a subsidy on the difficulty of marketing home produce; and if any equivalent assistance is contemplated to home producres and distributors?

I have been asked to reply. As has already been stated, in considering any recommendations that may be made by the Imperial Economic Committee with regard to the marketing of Empire produce, the Government will give careful consideration to their hearing on the distribution of home produce. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd), on 12th March last, a copy of which I am sending to him.

also asked the Prime Minister if any progress has been made in the matter of the proposed grant of £1,000,000 to assist the marketing of Colonial produce in this country; and if, and when, the allocation of the grant will come before the House for approval?

I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Faversham on the 17th March. The preparation of a full scheme will not be undertaken until a Report has been received from the Imperial Economic Committee. Until such a scheme has been prepared no estimate will be presented to this House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the application which he has received from the Porthcawl Rural District Council for permission to exchange the charity land of the labouring poor has already been refused by the Charity Commissioners on the ground that the allotments were of considerably greater value than the land proposed to be taken in exchange; and whether, before agreeing to the application, he will make full investigation into all the circumstances connected with this proposal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the hon. Member may rest assured that my right hon. Friend will fully investigate all relevant circumstances before giving his decision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, he is now taking, or intends to take, to increase the area of cultivable land by compelling landowners and drainage authorities to initiate schemes for draining land that is now laid derelict?

The action suggested by the hon. Member could not be taken without fresh legislation of a contentious kind, which it is not possible to contemplate in view of the more urgent matters which require consideration by Parliament during the present Session. At the same time, the whole question of land drainage is receiving the careful consideration of the Government in conjunction with other questions affecting its agricultural policy, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

In view of the absolute necessity for finding more work for British workpeople on British land, will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to secure the passing of such legislation as will make these schemes possible?

Certainly.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what percentage of the machinery has been foreign machinery?

I think the hon. Gentleman had better put that question down.

also asked the Minister of Agriculture how much of the land which has been improved by drainage schemes belongs to the State; and if it is the intention of the Government to extend this work during the coming autumn?

My right hon. Friend regrets that it is not possible to state, without examining a, large number of papers, what area of land belonging to the State may have been involved in the drainage schemes carried out during the past four winters, but the area is in any case very small. As regards the latter part of the question, the matter is now under the consideration of the Government.

Are we to understand that the Government are continuing to improve privately-owned land and do not know the area of the land they are improving? What advantage does the country gain from these large grants which are given to help to drain privately-owned land?

The hon. Gentleman could not be expected to answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the terms of the contract entered into by the late Government for the importation of foreign machinery for the raw beet-sugar factories; and in what respect this has been modified, if at all, by the present Government?

When the negotiations with the late Government took place, the two manufacturing groups then existing each promised three new beet-sugar factories for the production of white sugar, and the necessary arrange- merits were made for implementing these promises. When the 75 per cent. condition as to British plant and machinery installed in the factories was proposed by the present Government, my right hon. Friend found that commitments for machinery and capital had already been made in regard to three of these six factories, and he decided that it would be a breach of faith to impose any new conditions on the manufacturers building these factories, who were willing to continue building further beet-sugar factories in this country and in such cases would employ 75 per cent. of British machinery in accordance with the new condition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the financial loss and injury inflicted on the fruit and vegetable growers through the decreased facilities of conveyance, especially on the Brighton section of the Southern Railway; and what action does he propose to take to increase the facilities for the conveyance of agricultural produce, especially in view of the forthcoming fruit season?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any recent complaints of the nature indicated, but if the hon. and gallant Member will furnish details, my right hon. Friend will confer with the Minister of Transport on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, who was responsible for the selection of the stone panel recently erected in Hyde Park to the memory of the late W. H. Hudson?

A sketch design was submitted by the Hudson Memorial Committee and was accepted by the First Commissioner of the day after consultation with a Committee of Experts dealing with such questions at that time.

Is the First Commissioner the ultimate and absolute authority for sanctioning the erection of monuments in the Royal parks?

That is so.

Will the Under-secretary make the "Daily Mail" the absolute arbiter in these matters?

Is the Undersecretary aware that a large number of people regard this panel as particularly distinctive and appropriate for the Hudson Memorial?

May I ask my hon. Friend if he will convey to the First Commissioner of Works the expediency of excluding, as far as possible, all these erections which are apt to provoke acrimonious discussions, and confine the parks to trees and gardens?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it has been suggested that the sculptor in this case, owing to inadequate knowledge of the English language, thought he had to produce a sculpture dealing with birds, and has erected a scarecrow?

May I inquire whether the Under-Secretary would ask the First Commissioner if he will give at least six months to a section of the public, in order that they may learn to appreciate the merits of this work of art. I wish further to ask whether in point of fact there has ever been any work of art of merit that has not led to a storm of abuse?

Can the Undersecretary inform the House whether it is not a fact that this panel shows a deformed female figure, with elephantiasis of the hand?

I should like to see some of these questions in writing.

On a point of Order. May I point out that this has appeared in the public Press?

I do not go by the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the position with regard to the recognition or otherwise by His Majesty's Government of the Government of Mexico?

I would refer the hon and gallant Gentleman to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Southwark, on the 8th ultimo.

Has there been any change in the position at all, and are we examining the question of the relations between this country and Mexico? Is the matter being examined with a view to a settlement?

The matter is within my cognisance, but I have no steps to announce.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when we may expect to hear something?

No, Sir, I am no prophet.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been come to with respect to an Autumn Sitting?

Until I see more clearly what progress is made with the business which it is necessary for this House to pass before the Adjournment, I regret that I shall not be in a position to make any statement.

In dealing with this matter may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is giving consideration to the desire which finds support in all parts of the House that the Session should normally commence in the autumn in order that it may be brought to a conclusion at a reasonable time next summer?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement as to the promised conference on the franchise?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on the 28th April in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Cardigan.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Home Secretary, in a Debate in this House, spoke of such a conference as being about to be summoned, and is there any date on which we may expect it to start?

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that a Committee was appointed by this House in December, 1921, to consider the position of the Crown as litigant, and that the obsolete Crown procedure in civil and quasi-criminal matters still continues to be resorted to, with the result that litigants who prove unsuccessful in disputes with Government Departments are mulcted in costs out of all proportion to the sums in issue, he will fix a time limit within which the Report of the Committee should be presented, so that as a litigant the Crown should be placed in the same position as any subject of His Majesty?

I have been asked to reply. No such Committee has been appointed by this House. The right hon. Gentleman is presumably referring to a Committee appointed in December, 1921, by the Lord Chancellor (Lord Birkenhead) and the then Attorney-General (Sir Gordon Hewart), "To consider the position of the Crown as a litigant and to make such proposals for the modification of the existing law upon the subject as may best conduce to efficiency and economy, with due regard for the necessity for the safeguarding of the collection of the revenue."

The matters to be considered by the Committee are highly technical and of great delicacy and importance, and I am not prepared to suggest to the Lord Chancellor that a time limit should be fixed for the presentation of the Committee s Report. I understand, however, that the Committee has made very substantial progress in the consideration of the matters referred to. I must add that I cannot accept the suggestion made in the question that litigants are in consequence of the present state of the law mulcted in costs out of proportion to the sums in issue.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of the Measure to listeners-in, he can state when the Government proposes to take the Second Reading of the Wireless Telegraphy and Signalling Bill?

In view of the decision to hold a general inquiry into the broadcasting system towards the close of the year, the Government have decided not to proceed this Session with this Bill. A short Bill will be introduced instead, with the single object of resolving any doubt as to the validity of the existing licence system.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give an assurance that any Government assistance given to electricity undertakings for the purposes of any scheme of general electrification will also be extended pari passu to gas undertakings?

I have been asked to reply. As the Government's proposals with regard to electricity have not yet been formulated I cannot say whether they will involve any form of assistance to electricity undertakings. My hon. Friend's question is therefore premature.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court of International Justice in each of the cases contemplated by Article 36 of the Statute of the Court?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the division of opinion among the members of the Blanesburgh Committee expressed in paragraph 66 of their Report, the Government will grant full civil rights to all manipulative workers in Government offices and establishments;

(2) whether the Government propose to adopt the recommendation of the Blanesburgh Report and allow full civil rights to all industrial workers in Government workshops and establishments?

As stated on the 21st May in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Edge Hill, this Report is now under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the advisory body upon Colonial problems, which it is proposed to create, will include within its functions such problems as the condition of native labour, the migration of natives for industrial purposes, and the increasing difficulties due to Colonial natives temporarily resident in Europe for industrial and educational purposes?

As Lord Balfour intimated in the House of Lords, the Committee referred to in this question will probably be framed on the general lines of the Committee of Imperial Defence. In that event, there will be no terms of reference or list of members. The Colonial Office and other Government Departments will refer to the Committee such questions as they think desirable, on the analogy of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance to the House that it is the settled policy of the Government to maintain the Air Ministry as the Department responsible for aviation, development of airships, and air defence, and not to diminish its responsibilities or to absorb it in the Admiralty or any other Department?

No change is at present contemplated in the existing responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information of a notification by the United States of America to the Governments of France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Rumania, Czechoslovakia, Jugo-Slavia, Esthonia, and Latvia in regard to a proposal for funding agreements for the debts owed by those Governments to the Government of the United States; and whether any progress has been made by His Majesty's Government with any of these Governments for the funding of their debts to Great Britain?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made by France and Italy in their negotiations with the United States for the funding of their debts to that country; and whether he has secured from the French and Italian Governments a recognition of the principle that no steps should be taken by those nations to fund or liquidate their obligations to the United States without a similar step being taken to meet their obligations to this country?

I under stand that a Note has been addressed by the Government of the United States to the Governments of the European countries which are in their debt drawing their attention to the desirability of commencing official conversations with a view to debt funding. I have no further information, other than what has appeared in the Press, on the subject of the progress of the negotiations with France and Italy.

No further developments have taken place in regard to the negotiations on the subject of the debts due to this country. His Majesty's Government have made it clear that any steps taken by debtor Powers to fund or liquidate their obligations to the United States should be accompanied by similar steps as regards their obligations to this country: and, of course, there is no alteration in our position.

Does that mean that we are also going to follow this Note of the United States with a Note to the Powers affected asking for a consideration of the matter?

No. There is no action being taken.

Would it not be a wise thing to open up discussions with America with reference to the action that has been taken by them in order to see if we can act jointly with them.

I think it would be best to await and see the answers which are sent to America.

Is it not a fact that the only active negotiations at present going on are between this country and France, and that these other Powers mentioned in the question which had been dealt with by the United States are not now conversing with us in the matter. Why are we not sending a Note to them also?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any representation from the United States Government in regard to the individual States which are in arrears, or have defaulted in the payment of interest and the return of principal of money borrowed from British investors; whether he will consider the desirability of coming to a settlement with the representatives of the original investors, in loans which were made for purposes other than those connected with the Civil War in America, by purchasing their claims and arriving at a settlement with the American Government on behalf of the individual States, thus securing to the bondholders some payment for a debt which is at present valueless and at the same time materially benefiting the taxpayer in this country.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am quite unable to entertain the suggestion contained in the second part.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it desirable that people in this country should press for debts owing to them?

I have no objection to the people who are owed debts pressing for their payment, but my hon. Friend's suggestion is that His Majesty's Government should buy up these debts and then present the claim not to the party in default but to the United States.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that my question was whether we had been approached in the matter by the United States?

Is it not the case that these States which did incur the debt are now part of the United States of America, and ought they not to take over the liabilities when they take over the States?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any portion of the Tangier territory has been occupied or used by the Spanish troops in their conflict with the Riffis; whether diplomatic representations have been made against this violation of the frontier; if so, with what result; and whether any further steps are contemplated?

In the course of operations against the tribes situated near the frontier of the Tangier zone, small bodies of Spanish troops crossed the boundary on one or two occasions. Representations were made to the Spanish Government, who at once gave an assurance that they would do all in their power to avoid a repetition of such incidents.

May I ask if the practice has, in fact, ceased, or has considerable difficulty been found in getting rid of the Spanish forces inside the Tangier zone?

I do not think the efforts of the Spanish Government were immediately and wholly successful. I do not remember any very recent case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether pro- posals of any kind have been made to the British Government that they should offer naval co-operation to the French in their Moroccan war?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the German refusal to allow any regular British air service to cross to Czechslovakia, he proposes to take any action?

The German Government are free to sanction or refuse to sanction such flights of aircraft over their territory as they think fit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he can see his way better to equalise the leave rates as between foreign service and the Atlantic Fleet, seeing that those serving in the Atlantic Fleet get 42 days' leave each year and those serving abroad only 14 days?

Although men serving in the Atlantic Fleet get 42 days' leave a year, this is to compensate them for the absence of week-end leave and other advantages which service at a home port carries with it. The grant of 10 days' drafting leave to men before proceeding abroad in effect raises the scale of foreign service leave to approximately 18 days a year, and as drafting is so arranged that all men get about the same amount of foreign, Atlantic Fleet, and home harbour service, no reason is seen for altering existing arrangements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what percentage of naval ratings invalided during the year 1924 owing to tuberculosis was attributable to service; and what percentage was considered to be not attributable to service?

The percentages are 4 per cent. and 96 per cent. respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in order to ensure cleanliness in dress among newly-entered naval cook ratings, he will increase the number of white suits and aprons from two, as now issued, to four, observing that this branch considers a clean suit essential at least every other day?

I am not prepared to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses of the types known as the Telford, Atholl, and Weir have been sanctioned for subsidy; and the average price at which contracts have been made for each type?

Apart from the demonstration houses, for which special arrangements have been made, approval has been given to the erection of 164 Telford houses and 12 Atholl houses as eligible for subsidy under the Housing Acts. The average price per house, including foundations, paths, fences, etc., at which contracts have been made, is £490 for the Telford houses and £630 for the Atholl houses. As regards the Weir houses, as the contracts for these have all been let in Scotland, a question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

Are any efforts being made to popularise steel houses by the local authorities?

Yes, Sir; the local authorities in this country will shortly be erecting a number of demonstration houses for that purpose.

May I add that my question was in regard to steel houses generally, and not just the Weir type?

Do I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that figures are not available at the Ministry of Health as to the cost of houses built in Scotland?

No, Sir. What I said was that any question as to the price of houses for which contracts have been let in Scotland should be addressed to the Secretary for Scotland.

Is not the hon. Gentleman able to tell us whether the Weir house is above the Telford house and the Atholl house, or midway between them, or below them, in the matter of cost?

As far as the erection of houses in this country is concerned at the present time, it is confined to demonstration houses. As far as Scotland is concerned, a number of houses have been already undertaken by private individuals and various councils, and, therefore, as regards the price of those houses, obviously the Secretary for Scotland is the proper person to reply.